Holder for reeds for musical instruments.



PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906. E. D. SNODGRASS. HOLDER EOE REEDS EUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.I

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 3. 1905.

VUNITED srArns PATENT OFFIOE.

HOLDER FOR REEDS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1906.

Application filed August 3, 1905. Serial No, 272,506.

To all wir/ont it may concern.-

Be it known that l, EDMUN DANIEL SNOD- GRAss, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Tillamook, inthe county of Tillamook and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Holder for Reeds for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to pocket-cases and it consists, substantially, in the details of oonstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

The invention has reference more especially to pocket-cases to be carried by players or performers on musical instruments of a certain type, in which to place the reed of the instrument during the time the latter is not in use, so as to preserve the intended or original shape of the reed, and thereby enhance the availability or usefulness thereof for a considerably longer period of time than is now ordinarily to be derived therefrom.

It is well known to all players or performers upon single-reed musical instruments as the clarinet, saxophone, octavin, and the like-that the reed of the instrument in time begins to soften or relax or becomes-water logged, as it is called, in consequence of which it loses its shape to such an extent as to become practically useless for its purposes. The mouthpiece of the instrument is necessarily formed on a flare or curve which gradually widens or increases in the direction of the outer end thereof, and in order that the reed shall vibrate with accuracy in correspondence with the air-waves set up within the mouthpiece by blowing thereinto and which vary in the length and force thereof in the production of different musical tones it is essential to construct the reed with a perfectly straight face, thus to enable the same to freely operate in the manner intended. The reed, however, absorbs considerable of the moisture unavoidably forced into the mouthpiece from the mouth of the player or performer upon the instrument, and inasmuch as the reed is frequently vibrated into contact with the inner side of the mouthpiece the same gradually assumes part of the curved form of the mouthpiece and becomes set thereto, so that in a comparatively short space of time the reed is rendered practically useless and requires to be replaced by another, which is both disadvantageous and l objectionable, besides being expensive, as is l apparent.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide means for overcoming the disadvantages and objections referred to, substantially as will hereinafter more fully appear when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view in perspective of a preferred form of a device embodying my irnprovements, the same being shown in open position. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the parts ofthe device in closed position. Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4 4 of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a detail View showing a slight modification.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shown l preferably employ a case to be carried in the pocket, comprising speciallyconstructed sections movably joined together at adjacent or longitudinal edges thereof capable of being tening devices therefor. The said sections are provided with specially-constructed holders (one or more) for one or more reeds for musical instruments of the type referred to, the holders of each section being preferably disposed reversely to those of the other and those of either section being accessible from one end of the case when the two sections are carried to open position either for the placing therein or removal therefrom of one or more reeds.

The device is simple in construction vand comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, besides being effective and reliable for its purposes and possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

Reference being had to the drawings by the designating characters thereon, l represents my improved device or pocket-case in entirety, the same being constructed of two sections 2, preferably rectangular in form and hinged or otherwise movably joined together at 3, so as to be capable of being closed one against the other and secured by any ordinary form of fastening therefor, (indicated at 4.) Each of the said sections 2 of the device is formed at the longer or longitudinal edges thereof with corresponding inturned i'ianges 5, while one of the transverse edges 6 closed and secured together by suitable fas- IOO thereof is minus any flange or open. (See Fig. 1.) The other transverse edge of each section 2 is formed with a flange 7 about twice as deep or high as either of the flanges 5 of the section, the said flanges 7 of the two sections being reversely disposed to each other, so as to enable the sections to be carried together closely and compactly. Fitted and secured within each of the sections 2 of the device in any suitable manner are preferably a plurality of compartments, each comprising a base S, having parallel inturned flanges 9 at the longer edges thereof, said base and flanges being preferably of the same length as the section to which they belong, while said flanges are a little less in height than the flanges 5 of the section and are beveled downwardly and outwardly at 10 in the direction of the open transverse edge of said section. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) Located within the said compartments nearest the flange 7 of each section 2 of the device and having the longer edges thereof secured in any suitable manner to the said flanges 9 of the compartments are holders 11 for one or more reeds 12, said holders being preferably constructed of strips or small sheets of thin flexible metal disposed at suitable distances from the adjacent surfaces of the bases 8 of the compartments and having the edges thereof adjacent to the transverse edge 6 of the section upturned to form lips 13 for guiding or facilitating the insertion of the ends of the reeds beneath the holders, as will be understood.

As herein shown, three compartments are employed for each section 2 of the device or case, although the number thereof may be more or less, as desired, and in order that the reeds 12 for the musical instruments may be caused to straighten out while in the holders 11 therefor, and thus become ree stored to their original shape after becoming bent in the manner and from the cause hereinbefore mentioned, I construct those portions of the surfaces of the bases 8 lying beneath two of the holders of each section on different or varying raised curves, as indicated at 13a and 14 1n Fig. 4, while the entire surface of the remaining or third base of the section may be fiat or even throughout. Thus a reed which is practically new and straight or which has not become appreciably bent may be inserted within the holder of either of the compartments, the surface of the base of which is flat and even throughout, and be thereby retained in the form which it has, while, on the other hand, a reed which has been considerably bent from use may be inserted within either of the other holders of either of the remaining compartments of the device, and thereby be straightened out to its original form. It will be understood, of course, that in the latter case the reed is always inserted within the holder with the bend or curve therein disposed reversely to the curve of the surface portion of the base beneath the holder, so that as the reed is inserted the said bend or curve therein will ride the said curve of the surface portion of the said. base, the holder in itself affording sufli cient resistance to the insertion of the reed to cause it to straighten out. In this way the bent form of the reed will be placed under tension within the holder, tending to bend the same reversely, as will be apparent, and as the reed becomes dry it will the more easily retain the shape thus imparted thereto.

In some instances I may corrugate the bases of the compartments of the device, as indicated at 15 in Fig. 5, so as to form channels 16 for air to pass beneath the reeds to assist in the evaporation of the moisture with which the same may be laden. I may also construct the device of a single compartment and holder only for a reed, as will be apparent.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A device of the character described, comprising a holder for a reed for a musical instrument, constructed of a compartment having a base and side flanges, together with a spring-plate secured to parts of the flanges near one end of the base, the surface of the latter beneath said spring-plate being curved, whereby to permit the bending of the reed under the action of the spring.

2. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments for reeds for musical instruments each constructed of a base having side `flan-ges, and springplates secured to the portions of the flanges of said base near one end of the latter, the surfaces of the bases beneath said spring-plate being curved for coacting with the springplate to impart a curve to the reed.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of compartments for reeds for musical instruments, each constructed of a base having side flanges, and spring-plates secured to portions of the flanges of each base at or near one end of the latter, the surfaces of the bases beneath said spring-plates being formed on curves corresponding to the curve to be imparted to the reed, whereby to permit a bending of the reed under the action of the spring, and one of the edges of each of the spring-plates being upturned to form a lip.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of compartments for reeds for musical instruments, each being constructed of a base having side flanges and provided with a spring-plate secured to portions of the flanges above the base, the edges of said flanges being beveled forwardly and downwardly in the direction of one end thereof.

5. A device of the character herein de- IOO IXO

scribed, comprising tWo sections hinged together and adapted to be closed together and secured, each section being provided with a plurality of compartments for reeds for musical instruments, each compartment embodyng a base having side flanges and above which is located a spring-plate secured to portions of the anges near one end of the base, the surface portions of the bases beneath the spring-plates being formed on curves cor- Io responding to the curve of the reed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDMUN DANIEL SNODGRASS.

Vitnesses:

A. W. SEVERANCE, DORA E. SEvERANoE. 

